When it comes to the four seasons, not Frankie Valli’s band, (look it up if you’re under 50), but the actual seasons in the year, I always find Fall to be my favorite in Texas. Now that Fall has arrived, plan a road trip to experience the beauty of this time of year across the Lone Star State.
With the smell of pumpkin spice, hot chocolate, and chili in the air, I’m sharing some of my favorite places to spend the autumn season.
Fall Colors in the Piney Woods
It’s so great to be back in the Texas Forest Trail Region in east Texas. While I’ve lived in more than 20 towns and cities in the state, a significant number of those places were in this part of the country. We’re enjoying our life in Tyler and the surrounding communities. The pine trees remain green throughout the season, but the oaks and other trees change their hues, producing some of the most beautiful colors in the state.
Bald eagle near Lake Palestine.A View from the Panhandle Plains
The Panhandle of Texas isn’t known for trees, even though they do have them. What I love about this portion of our vast state is seeing the grasses. The gold color takes over the landscape from as far north as Perryton and as far south as Lubbock. There’s something peaceful and serene about these wide-open spaces during this time of year.
North Texas Beauty
The Texas Lakes Trail Region of the state is similar in beauty to northeast Texas, where you will definitely experience some fall colors, especially with the oaks scattered around. You’ll find a taste of fall in the cities and towns at markets selling pumpkins, gourds, mums, and fall colors for the front door, the mantle, and your flower garden. And of course, the pumpkin spice everything is wafting off that fall scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
Colors by the Beach
When people think of the changing colors, the beaches of Texas are probably not their first thought. I find them to be spectacular for many reasons, the first being most people don’t enjoy them as much because of the cooler temperatures. Personally, I love them for that very reason. They are not as crowded, so you can take in breathtaking sunrises almost on your own in the early mornings of fall. Also, the beach sands are filled with beautiful tropical plants that aren’t found in other parts of the state and they do, indeed, change colors in autumn.
Autumn in the Texas Mountain Trail Region
If you’ve followed my blog for any period of time, you know my love for the Big Bend Region of Texas. I especially love it in the fall. While the beaches of Texas have solitude, there is no solitude like that you experience in the mountains of the Lone Star State. You could be driving for miles before you see another vehicle. We’re talking that kind of solitude. The golden grasses, succulents, and sparse mesquites provide a very different kind of fall color here.
Hill Country Colors
Having lived in the Texas Hill Country for a few years, I experienced firsthand the beauty of this region of the state in the fall. From multiple state parks like Lost Pines and Enchanted Rock to gorgeous drives like the three sisters near Bandera, it is a stunning time of year to visit and enjoy the fall colors.
Foods of Fall
Fall colors don’t stop with grasses and trees. We also have them in our foods. While there may be a touch of green at our holiday tables this year, let’s admit it, most of the colors for our fall feasts are browns, oranges, yellows, and an occasional bowl of red. Pumpkins are in season and chili contests are popping up at every fair and festival in the state. Even our marshmallows are toasting up over the open orange, yellow, and red flames of the fire to a golden brown or even charred black, if that’s your preference, right before you place them on a golden graham cracker with a dark brown piece of chocolate or maybe even a peanut butter cup to mix it up a little.
Fall into Texas
I hope you’ll take the time to visit the Lone Star State this fall season and enjoy the beauty and cool temperatures. If you can’t do it this year, make plans for the following. You won’t be disappointed. And, if you do order chili at a restaurant or come upon a chili cook-off in a community in Texas, you’ll notice there are no beans. That’s on purpose.
For more fall fun in Texas, check out my How Big Is Texas podcast where I share more of my favorite fall experiences.
International Headquarters
My favorite place to be in the fall in Texas is at the Official International World Headquarters of How Big Is Texas, located somewhere between Athens, Palestine, and Carthage. After all, it is international.
Until next time…in Texas…safe travels!
